Cartridge hydraulic coupler and method of use

ABSTRACT

A male and female set of hydraulic coupler cartridges mate such that one part of the coupler can be left in place, e.g. the female coupler, with the other portion of the coupler, e.g. the male coupler, being removably connected or disconnected. Valves within each cartridge comprise an actuator and springs within each cartridge urge the valves into a closed, sealing position. When the cartridges mate, spring and/or fluid pressure within the cartridges operates to either allow or disallow fluid flow. Once the cartridges are mated, their respective springs are partially compressed and movement of one of the valves operates to compress one spring and correspondingly decompress the other. The cartridges can therefore be mated and unmated, e.g. subsea, while fluid flow is prevented through them during the mating and unmating.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application is a divisional of currently pending U.S. National Phase patent application Ser. No. 13/321,959, filed Nov. 22, 2011, and claims priority through PCT Patent Application #PCT/US2011/061336 filed Nov. 18, 2011, that claims priority through U.S. Provisional 61/472,066 entitled “Cartridge Hydraulic Coupler and Method of Use” filed on Apr. 5, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to cartridge hydraulic couplers and their method of use. More specifically, the invention relates to cartridge hydraulic couplers that can be used subsea where the couplers comprise a male and female member, each typically equipped with an opposing poppet valve.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to hydraulic couplers where one part of the coupler can be left in place with the other portion of the coupler being selectively connected or disconnected.

Coupling of hydraulic coupling cartridge assemblies, e.g. subsea, is a means to connect a hydraulic conduit line by use of a pair of complementary male and female couplings. This allows for a fluid blocking member, e.g. a female member, to remain engaged in a fluid pathway and, when coupled with a complementary male member, to allow for fluid to resume flowing which predetermined conditions are met.

Typically, fluid, if present, is under pressure in the fluid lines on either side of the coupler. Coupling devices for use in interconnecting conduit sections carrying fluid under pressure typically comprise a male and corresponding female body members interfitted and locked together in a communicating relationship. These body members are provided with interior check valves, most of which are of the ball type, which are urged into closed relation by resilient means and which open to provide flow. Some comprise poppet valves used as directional control valves to control movement of fluid within the connector.

In poppet valve applications, misalignment between the individual components of the valve cartridge assembly can create problems resulting in leakage. Leakage can occur, e.g., when the coupler is being mated or unmated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The figures supplied herein disclose various embodiments of the claimed invention in which like numbered elements are the same.

FIG. 1 is a view in partial perspective of a first coupled embodiment illustrating coupled male and female members.

FIG. 2 is a view in partial perspective of a female coupler of the first coupled embodiment, comprising a female cartridge, and FIG. 2 a is a cross-sectional view in partial perspective of an exemplary female cartridge.

FIG. 3 is a view in partial perspective of a male coupler of the first coupled embodiment, comprising a male cartridge, and FIG. 3 a is a cross-sectional view in partial perspective of an exemplary male cartridge.

FIG. 4 is a view in partial perspective of a male coupler cartridge of a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view in partial perspective of a female coupler cartridge of the second embodiment, and FIG. 5 a is a view in partial perspective of a female coupler of the second embodiment which incorporates the female cartridge.

FIG. 6 is a view in partial perspective of a coupled third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, hydraulic coupling cartridge assembly 1 comprises female member 100 and male member 200. In preferred embodiments, female member 100 and male member 200 are dimensioned and configured for use subsea and their dimensions allow for use with existing hydraulic couplings such as those used in mini, M1 and M2 junction plates marketed by Oceaneering International, Inc. of Houston, Tex. In various embodiments, hydraulic coupling cartridge assembly 1 provides for following minimum C_(v) flow characteristics for nominal sizes (½ inch and 1 inch), e.g. a nominal ½ inch size may allow for a 1.9 C_(v) and a nominal 1 inch size for a 5.5 C_(v).

Hydraulic coupling cartridge assembly 1 allows connecting of a hydraulic conduit line (not shown in the figures) by use of male member 200 and female member 100. Typically, as described herein below, male member 200 comprises a probe section and a valve system, typically a poppet valve system, while female member 100 comprises a sealing system and a valve system, typically comprising a corresponding poppet valve system.

The described hydraulic coupling cartridge assembly 1 and its methods of use allow for installation, removal, and replacement of critical sealing components. Materials contemplated for use in manufacturing hydraulic coupling cartridge assemblies 1, such as their bodies, include those matched for wear and sliding, along with compatibility to salt water, surface conditions, and production and control fluids such as those used in stainless steel fluid couplings capable of being mounted in a mechanical operated junction plate.

A dual elastomer seal package, such as one comprising Peek® manufactured by Victre plc, may be used and hydraulic coupling cartridge assemblies 1 may also be configured with a c-cup style pressure energizing metal seal. Hydraulic coupling cartridge assembly 1 and its constituent parts may be used to provide redundancy in a sealing system.

Referring to FIG. 2, in a first embodiment, female member 100 comprises female coupling member housing 104 which further comprises first open end 110 and second open end 120 disposed distally from first open end 110; inner bore 102; spring stop 130; first valve 140; valve seat 142; and spring 147. As illustrated, female member 100 further comprises female cartridge 101, as isolated and illustrated in FIG. 2 a, which may be threaded on an outer surface portion of female cartridge 101 to be received into a correspondingly grooved portion of female coupling member housing 104 (FIG. 2), although other equivalent fastening arrangements, as will be familiar with one of ordinary skill in the connector arts, may be used to allow female cartridge 101 to be selectively inserted into and removed from female coupling member housing 104.

Inner bore 102 effectively extends from first open end 110 to second open end 120 to provide a fluid pathway, e.g. extending through female annulus 103 to second open end 120. Female annulus 103 is substantially contiguous throughout female cartridge 101.

First valve 140 is typically slidably disposed within a portion of inner bore 102, e.g. female annulus 103, and comprises leading face 144 which is disposed proximate valve seat 142 and spring face 146 disposed opposite leading face 144. First valve 140 also typically comprises first valve actuator 148 extending from leading face 144.

Spring stop 130 is typically disposed intermediate first open end 110 and second open end 120 within inner bore 102.

Valve seat 142 is typically disposed within female annulus 103 at a first predetermined distance proximate second open end 120, intermediate first open end 110 and spring stop 130. Valve stem 145 extends from spring face 146 through at least some portion of spring stop 130.

Spring 147 is typically disposed intermediate spring stop 130 and spring face 146 and is further dimensioned and configured such that movement of first valve 140 toward first open end 110 compresses spring 232 (FIG. 3) and movement of first valve 140 away from first open end 110 extends spring 232 (FIG. 3).

In certain embodiments hydraulic coupling cartridge assembly 1 further comprises radial sealing member 150 disposed adjacent valve seat 142 of female member 100, where radial sealing member 150 is dimensioned and configured to sealingly engage with sealing surface 144 of first valve 140 of female member 100 when first valve 140 is urged against valve seat 142 of female member 100. Other seals, e.g. seals 160 and 162, may be present to aid in containing fluids flowing through hydraulic coupling cartridge assembly 1 within hydraulic coupling cartridge assembly 1.

Referring now to FIG. 3, in a preferred embodiment, male member 200 comprises inner bore 202; spring stop 230; valve seat 242; second valve 240; second valve actuator 248; and spring 232. Male member 200 comprises male cartridge 201, as isolated and illustrated in FIG. 3 a. Male member 200 is preferably removably and sealingly received within second open end 120 (FIG. 2) of female member 100 (FIG. 2). Male cartridge 201 may be threaded on an outer surface of male cartridge 201 to be received into a correspondingly grooved portion of male coupling member housing 203 (FIG. 3), although other equivalent fastening arrangements may be used to allow male cartridge 201 to be selectively inserted into and removed from male coupling member housing 203. In certain embodiments, male cartridge annulus 204 is substantially contiguous within male cartridge 201.

In typical embodiments, first open end 210 of male member 200 is dimensioned and adapted to be sealingly received within female member second open end 120. Second open end 220 of male member 200 is disposed distally from first open end 210 and is preferably dimensioned and configured to receive a fluid inlet (not illustrated in the figures).

Inner bore 202 effectively extends from first open end 210 to second open end 220 to provide a fluid pathway, e.g. extending through male annulus 204 to second open end 120.

Second valve 240 is typically slidably disposed within inner bore 202 and comprises leading face 244, which is disposed proximate valve seat 242, and spring face 246, which is disposed opposite leading face 244. Second valve actuator 248 extends from leading face 244 and is dimensioned and configured to engage first valve actuator 148 (FIG. 2) of female member 100 (FIG. 2) when male member 200 is received at a predetermined distance into female member 100.

Valve seat 242 is typically disposed within inner bore 202 at a first predetermined distance proximate first open end 210, intermediate first open end 210 and spring stop 230.

Spring 232 is typically disposed intermediate spring stop 230 and spring face 246 and dimensioned and configured such that movement of second valve 240 toward first open end 210 extends spring 232 and movement of second valve 246 away from first open end 210 compresses spring 232.

Spring stop 230 is typically disposed intermediate first open end 210 and second open end 220 within inner bore 202.

Additionally, radial sealing member 250 may be disposed adjacent valve seat 242 of male member 200. Valve seat 242 may be a radial seal dimensioned and configured to form a sealing engagement with sealing surface 244 of valve 240 of male member 200 when valve 240 is urged against valve seat 242.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, in a second contemplated embodiment a hydraulic coupling cartridge assembly comprises male coupling cartridge 310 (FIG. 4) and female coupling cartridge 338 (FIG. 5). Male coupling cartridge 310 and female coupling cartridge 338 are typically at least partially housed in housings as illustrated in the various drawings. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5 a, female coupling cartridge 338 is housed in housing 302 of female member 301.

The hydraulic coupling cartridge assembly may be dimensioned and configured for use subsea.

Male coupling cartridge 310 comprises outer body 316; first inner bore region 312; male cartridge inner bore region 314; first anchoring member 322; first poppet valve 326; and first spring 332. Male coupling cartridge 310 may be threaded to be correspondingly received into a grooved portion of a male coupling housing.

Outer body 316 typically comprises insertion region 318, which further comprises first outer diameter 317, and protruding region 320, which further comprises second outer diameter 319 which is larger than first outer diameter 317. Protruding region 320 may be threaded to be received into a correspondingly grooved portion of male coupling member housing 303 (FIG. 4 a).

First inner bore region 312 comprises first inner diameter 312 a.

Male cartridge inner bore region 314 comprises second inner diameter 314 a that is larger than first inner diameter 312 a.

First anchoring member 322 is typically mounted in male cartridge inner bore 314 and comprises first central channel 324.

First poppet valve 326 is typically slidably mounted in male cartridge inner bore region 314 and comprises tapered sealing surface 328, first actuator 313 extending from tapered sealing surface 328, and shaft 330 extending through first central channel 324. Seals, e.g. seals 315, may further act to provide a sealing surface for first poppet valve 326 when first poppet valve 326 is closed.

First spring 332 typically comprises first end 334, which is engaged against first anchoring member 322, and second end 336, which is disposed opposite first end 334. Second end 336 may be attached to first poppet valve 326 but is preferably engaged against front guide 337, itself slidingly disposed within male cartridge inner bore region 314 and engaged against first poppet valve 326.

First spring 332 is dimensioned and configured such that movement of first poppet valve 326 toward first inner bore region 312 extends first spring 332 and movement of first poppet valve 326 away from first inner bore 312 compresses first spring 332.

Referring now to FIG. 5, female coupling cartridge 338 comprises first female coupling female cartridge inner bore region 340; second female coupling inner bore region 342; second anchoring member 344; second poppet valve 348; and second spring 354. Female coupling cartridge 338 may be threaded to be correspondingly received into a grooved portion of female coupling housing 302 (FIG. 5 a).

Female cartridge inner bore region 340 is preferably longitudinally alignable with male coupling cartridge first inner bore region 312 (FIG. 4) and comprises first inner bore diameter 340 a. In preferred embodiments, female cartridge inner bore region 340 is dimensioned and configured to snugly receive insertion region 318 (FIG. 4).

Second female coupling inner bore region 342 comprises second inner bore diameter 342 a that is larger than female cartridge inner bore diameter 340 a.

Second anchoring member 344 is typically mounted in second female coupling inner bore 342 and comprises second central channel 346. Second central channel 346 does not have to be dimensioned and configured to allow fluid flow through second central channel 346 and in preferred embodiments does not allow fluid flow through second central channel 346.

Second poppet valve 348 is typically slidably mounted in second female coupling inner bore 342 and comprises tapered sealing surface 350, second actuator 347 extending from tapered sealing surface 356, and shaft 352. Shaft 352 typically extends through second central channel 346.

Second spring 354 typically comprises first end 356, engaged against second anchoring member 344, and second end 358, disposed opposite first end 356 and engaged against second poppet valve 348 such that movement of second poppet valve 348 toward first poppet valve 326 extends second spring 354, and movement of second poppet valve 348 away from first poppet valve 326 compresses second spring 354.

First actuator 313 (FIG. 4) and second actuator 347 (FIG. 5) are dimensioned and configured to mutually engage once male coupling cartridge 310 and female coupling cartridge 338 are mutually engaged.

Female coupling cartridge 338 may further comprise first radial sealing member 360 mounted in female cartridge inner bore region 340 and positioned to form a sealing engagement with insertion region 318.

Second radial sealing member 362 may also be present and mounted in the second female coupling inner bore region 342. If present, second radial sealing member 362 may be positioned to form a sealing engagement with sealing surface 350 of second poppet valve 348 when second poppet valve 348 is closed.

Referring now to FIG. 6, in a third embodiment hydraulic coupling cartridge assembly 400 comprises male member 410 and female member 450.

Male member 410 further comprises male housing 412; first spring stop 422; valve seat 432; first valve 430; and first spring 420.

First spring stop 422 is typically disposed within annulus 413.

Valve seat 432 is typically disposed within annulus 413 intermediate first open male housing end 414 and first spring stop 422.

First valve 430 is typically slidably disposed within annulus 413 and comprises leading face 434, disposed proximate valve seat 432; spring face 436, which is disposed distally from leading face 434; and first valve actuator 438, which extends from leading face 434.

First spring 420 is typically disposed intermediate first spring stop 422 and first valve spring face 436. First spring 420 is typically dimensioned and configured such that movement of first valve 430 toward first open male housing end 414 extends first spring 420 and movement of first valve 430 away from first open male housing end 414 compresses first spring 420.

Female member 450 comprises female housing 451; second spring stop 452; valve seat 442; second valve 440; and second spring 453.

Female housing 451 is typically dimensioned and configured to receive a predetermined portion of male housing 412 therein, e.g. 414. Female housing 451 further comprises annulus 455 therethrough. Female member 450 further comprises first open female housing end 460 and second open female housing end 462, each open female housing end 460,462 in fluid communication with annulus 455, and seal 457 dimensioned and configured to occlusively seal the predetermined portion of male housing 412, e.g. 414, when male housing 412 is received into female housing 451.

Second spring 453 is typically disposed within annulus 455.

Valve seat 442 is typically disposed within annulus 455 intermediate first open female housing end 460 and second spring stop 452.

Second valve 440 is typically slidably disposed within annulus 455 and comprises leading face 444 disposed proximate valve seat 442, spring face 446 distally disposed from leading face 444, and second valve actuator 448 extending from leading face 444. Second valve actuator 448 is dimensioned and configured to engage a corresponding end of male member first valve actuator 438 when the predetermined portion of male housing 412, e.g. 414, is received into female housing 451.

Second spring 453 is typically disposed intermediate second spring stop 452 and second valve spring face 446 and is typically dimensioned and configured such that movement of second valve 440 toward first open female housing end 460 extends second spring 453 and movement of second valve 440 away from first open female housing end 460 compresses second spring 453.

In the operation of preferred embodiments, referring again generally to FIG. 1, in most typical operations male coupling cartridge 200 and female coupling cartridge 100, e.g. installed in their respective housings 204,104 (FIGS. 2,3), will have actuators 3,33 which cooperatively engage such that movement in a direction along a common longitudinal axis operates to close one of the valves 240,140 (FIGS. 2,3) and open the other.

In a first preferred method for controlling fluid flow, female coupling cartridge 100 is mated into a subsea assembly (not shown in the figures). Male coupling cartridge 200 is maneuvered to a position proximate female coupling cartridge 100, e.g. via use of a remotely operated vehicle (not shown in the figures), where male coupling cartridge 200 is configured and dimensioned for fluid communication with a fluid conduit, as described herein above. Female coupling cartridge 100 and male coupling cartridge 200 may be any of the hydraulic coupling cartridge assemblies described herein above.

Once in position, female and male coupling cartridges 100,200 are mated by aligning probe 210 of male coupling cartridge 200 with a predetermined longitudinal axis of first inner bore 120 of female coupling cartridge 100 and advancing at least one of female or male coupling cartridges 100,200 until first and second actuators 148,248 are slidably and mutually engaged along a substantially common longitudinal axis at their respective engagement ends. Female coupling inner bore 120 will form a substantially common annulus with male coupling inner bore 202 when female and male coupling cartridges 100,200 are mated.

First and second actuators 148,248 are engaged at their respective engagement ends to urge both first and second valves 140,240, which are typically poppet valves, into respective positions where their respective tapered sealing surfaces 144,244 are disengaged from their respective seals 150,250 when first and second actuators 148,248 are engaged to either compress first spring 147 in a first longitudinal direction with respect to a substantially common central axis of male and female coupling inner bores 120,202 or compress second spring 232 in a second longitudinal direction with respect to the substantially common central axis. In the first instance, compression is limited by first anchor 130 at a first compression, and second spring 232 correspondingly decompressed along the first longitudinal direction. In this first instance, decompression is limited by second sealing face 246 sealing against second seal 242 at a first predetermined decompression.

In the second instance, compression is limited by second anchor 230 at a second predetermined compression, and first spring 147 correspondingly decompressed along the second longitudinal direction. In this second instance, decompression is limited by first sealing face 142 sealing against first seal 150 at a second predetermined decompression.

In typical embodiments, when female and male coupling cartridges 100,200 are mated, the movement of first and second valves 140,240 is limited and first and second valves 140,240 cannot seal against their respective valve seats 142,242, irrespective of fluid pressure.

In other embodiments, fluid flow through female coupling inner bore 102 and male coupling inner bore 202 is allowed until fluid pressure within female coupling inner bore 102 and male coupling inner bore 202 is sufficient to either urge first actuator 148 against second actuator 248 and overcome pressure exerted by second spring 232 against second valve 240 and allow first sealing surface 144 to seal against first seal 150, or urge second actuator 248 against first actuator 148 and overcome the pressure exerted by first spring 132 against first valve 140 and allow second sealing surface 244 to seal against second seal 250.

In a first preferred method of replacing a portion of a mateable coupling cartridge subsea, first male coupling cartridge 200 is decoupled from female coupling cartridge 100 to which first male coupling cartridge 200 is current coupled. Female coupling cartridge 100 and male coupling cartridge 200 may be any of the hydraulic coupling cartridge assemblies described herein above.

If fluid pressure exists within inner annulus 102 of female coupling cartridge 100, first valve 140, disposed within female coupling cartridge 100, is urged to a sealed position by allowing the fluid pressure in female coupling cartridge 100 to force sealing face 144 of first valve 140 against first seal 150, which as described herein is disposed within inner annulus 102 of female coupling cartridge 100, thereby forming an occlusive seal as first male coupling cartridge 200 and female coupling cartridge 100 are decoupled.

If fluid pressure exists within inner annulus 202 of first male coupling cartridge 200, second valve 240, disposed within first male coupling cartridge 200 as described herein, is urged to a sealed position by allowing the fluid pressure in first male coupling cartridge 200 to force sealing face 244 of second valve 240 against second seal 250 disposed within inner annulus 202 of first male portion 200 to form an occlusive seal as first male coupling cartridge 200 and female coupling cartridge 100 are decoupled.

After first male coupling cartridge 200 is decoupled from female coupling cartridge 100, a second male coupling cartridge 200 may be subsequently coupled to female coupling cartridge 200 by longitudinally aligning probe portion 210 of second male coupling cartridge 200 within first inner bore 102 of female coupling cartridge 100 until first actuator 148, operatively in communication with first valve 140 and disposed at least partially within female coupling cartridge 100, and second actuator 248, operatively in communication with second valve 240 and disposed at least partially within second male coupling cartridge 200, are slideably engaged along a substantially common longitudinal axis of probe 210 and first inner bore 102. Female coupling inner bore 102 will form a substantially common annulus with male coupling inner bore 202 when female and second male coupling cartridges 100,200 are mated.

Fluid flow is then allowed through second male coupling cartridge 200 and female coupling cartridge 100 when fluid pressure within the coupled second male coupling cartridge 200 and female coupling cartridge 100 is sufficient to urge first actuator 148 against second actuator 248, thereby overcoming a force exerted by first spring 132 against first valve 140 and a force exerted by second spring 232 against second valve 240.

As used herein above, the second male coupling cartridge 200 may a different male coupling cartridge 200 or the first male coupling cartridge 200.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the inventions are illustrative and explanatory. Various changes in the size, shape, and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrative construction and/or an illustrative method may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of replacing a portion of a coupling cartridge in a mateable coupling assembly subsea, comprising: a. decoupling a male coupling member from a female coupling member to which the male coupling member is coupled, the male coupling member comprising a replaceable male cartridge selectively inserted into a male coupling member housing and the female coupling member comprising a replaceable female cartridge selectively inserted into a female coupling member housing; b. using a first spring disposed within the female cartridge and in contact with a first poppet valve disposed at least partially within the female cartridge to urge the first poppet valve into a sealed position by forcing a sealing face of the first poppet valve against a first seal disposed within an inner annulus of the female cartridge, thereby forming an occlusive seal as the male coupling member and female coupling member are decoupled; c. if fluid pressure exists within the inner annulus of the female cartridge, allowing the fluid pressure in the female cartridge to aid the first spring; d. using a second spring disposed at least partially within the male cartridge and in contact with a second poppet valve disposed at least partially within the male cartridge to urge the second poppet valve into a sealed position by forcing a sealing face of the second poppet valve against a second seal disposed within an inner annulus of the male cartridge, thereby forming an occlusive seal as the male member and female member are decoupled; e. if fluid pressure exists within the inner annulus of the male cartridge, allowing the fluid pressure in the male cartridge to aid the second spring; f. removing either the male cartridge from the male member or the female cartridge from the female member; g. replacing the removed cartridge; and h. recoupling the male and female coupling members.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: a. after the male cartridge member is decoupled from the female coupling member, coupling a second male coupling member to the female coupling member, the second male coupling member comprising a second male cartridge, by longitudinally aligning a probe portion of the second male cartridge within a first inner bore of the female coupling cartridge until a first actuator, operatively in communication with the first poppet valve and disposed at least partially within the female member, and a second actuator, operatively in communication with the second poppet valve and disposed at least partially within the second male cartridge, are slideably engaged along a substantially common longitudinal axis of the probe and the first inner bore, the female coupling inner bore forming a substantially common annulus with a male coupling inner bore when the female and second male coupling members are mated; and b. allowing fluid flow through the second male coupling cartridge and the female coupling cartridge when fluid pressure within the coupled second male coupling cartridge and female coupling cartridge is sufficient to urge the first actuator against the second actuator, thereby overcoming a force exerted by a first spring disposed within the female inner annulus against the first poppet valve and a force exerted by a second spring disposed within the male inner annulus against the second poppet valve.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second male coupling cartridge is a different male coupling cartridge than the first male coupling cartridge.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the female housing selectively receives the female cartridge, the female housing being attached to a subsea structure, the female housing remaining attached to the subsea structure while the female cartridge is removed and replaced.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the male housing selectively receives the male cartridge, the male housing being attached to a subsea structure, the male housing remaining attached to the subsea structure while the male cartridge is removed and replaced. 